Interactive digital video services system with store and forward capabilities

ABSTRACT

An interactive video services system for enabling store and forward distribution of digitized video programming is disclosed. In accordance with a feature of the present invention, encoded and compressed digital video signals are transmitted via satellite link from a centrally located uplink site to a plurality of hospitality establishments, where the digitized video programming is stored in the memory of a video server computer or is transmitted &#34;real-time&#34; to the hospitality establishment&#39;s customers. The establishment either has its own downlink facilities or shares downlink facilities with other hospitality establishments. The uplink facility and satellite can transmit a variety of video signals - including video signals for real-time viewing by customers, compressed video signals for storage and subsequent retrieval and viewing by customers, and other types of digitized data, such as advertisements and barker screens. Various signal types, including operating system updates and digitized menus and advertisement graphics for the video programming, are separated and appropriately processed and routed at the hospitality facility.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to video services systems for use inhospitality establishments and, more specifically, to an interactivevideo services system for enabling store and forward distribution ofdigitized video programming.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that hospitality establishments, herein defined ashotels, motels, hospitals, condominiums and the like, operate in ahighly competitive environment. In order to attract customers andgenerate additional revenue, such hospitality establishments often offera wide variety of services, including an assortment of videoentertainment services. In addition to broadcast and cable television,hotels and motels often have video services systems that offerpay-per-view and video-on-demand services, as well as a variety ofinteractive services. Pay-per-view services are scheduled movie servicesthat generally utilize analog video cassette players installed in aremote location within the facility. The cassette players are preloadedwith selected video cassette tapes to be broadcast at predetermined, orscheduled, times. The programming can be accessed by multiple televisionsets (TVs) at any given time while the transmission is in progress.

Video-on-demand services enable customers to select a program to beviewed at their convenience. Viewing times are not prescheduled andcustomers are typically given a choice of a large number of programmingalternatives (typically from eight (8) to fifty (50)). Typically, theselected programming is transmitted in such a manner that only thecustomer that selected the programming is able to receive the broadcast.Alternatively, some video-on-demand systems provide "join-in-progress"capability, such that other customers also may view the selectedprogramming. As with pay-per-view, the programming is stored on analogvideo cassette tapes. A video-on-demand system may include a roboticdevice that removes the video tape containing the selected programmingfrom a storage rack and places it in one of several appropriate videocassette players. Alternatively, the system may include large numbers ofindividual video cassette players--one video cassette player for eachvideo cassette tape. The customer's selection of a particular programactivates only the video cassette player containing the desiredprogramming.

Despite the capability of the prior art video services systems, it hasbecome clear that advancements in the art are needed for many reasons.For example, delivery of the video cassette tapes for pay-per-view andvideo-on-demand services, as well as the maintenance and upkeep for thevideo cassette players, is labor intensive and costly. In almost allcases, the video services system that provides pay-per-view andvideo-on-demand programming, as well as broadcast and cable television,is owned and managed by a specialist company (e.g., Spectradyne) and notby the hospitality establishment. This specialist company typicallydelivers the cassette video tapes for the pay-per-view andvideo-on-demand services and maintains the video cassette players. It iscommon to provide six (6) to eight (8) pay-per-view movies and changeall of them at least once a month. As previously indicated,video-on-demand systems may offer as many as fifty (50) movies, onlytwenty percent (20%) of which will typically be changed out in a givenmonth. Typically, an employee of the company which owns and manages thevideo services system drives to the facility with the video tapes, loadsthem into the video cassette players, and takes the old tapes back. Ifthe establishment is at an isolated location, the industry standard isto mail the cassette tapes and have the hospitality establishment mailthe old tapes back "Cash On Delivery" (COD). Clearly, regardless of themethod used to change out the tapes, a not insignificant expense isincurred by either the hospitality establishment or the managementcompany in doing so.

Methods of compressing and encoding digital video signals and deliveringencoded and compressed digital video signals to a set top converter by acommunication means are well known in the art. The set top converterdecodes and decompresses the signals and converts them to NTSC formatfor delivery to the TV. Methods of storing encoded and compresseddigital video signals in a computer referred to as a "video server," aswell as methods of transmitting data via satellite, are also well knownin the art. Other video delivery systems, such as that described in U.S.Pat. No. 4,947,244 to Fenwick et al., transmit standard, radio frequencysignals to room televisions from traditional, mechanical video tapeplayers.

Analog systems, such as Fenwick et al. described above, do notanticipate the integration of digital video servers or the reception ofvideo programming from a centralized video source via transmissionmeans. In addition, such systems do not permit customers to interactwith video programming using video cassette recorder (VCR) type commandsand do not anticipate the integration of payment means, such as in-roommagnetic card stripe readers. Finally, digitized video distributionsystems that utilize video servers are beginning to be implemented. U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,133,079, 5,172,413 and 5,130,792 to Ballentyne, Bradley andTindell, respectively, do anticipate and even explicitly teach theaddition of a digitial video server to the system, but at the expense ofan entire network upgrade. These systems require the addition ofsophisticated switching systems, such as asynchronous transfer modeswitches, new transmission networks, and set top units that can decodethe transmissions.

Accordingly, the foregoing solutions suffer certain deficiencies, due tothe fact that the hospitality market requires access to video servertechnology, without the expense of implementing switches, networks andset top units mentioned above and without waiting for other entities,such as local television companies and cable television companies, totest and implement new systems. Therefore, what is needed, and what hasheretofore been lacking in the art, is an effective method and systemfor delivering encoded and compressed digital signals to customers ofhospitality establishments using a video services system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing problems are solved and a technical advance is achieved byan interactive video services system for enabling store and forwarddistribution of digitized video programming. In a departure from theart, encoded and compressed digital video signals are transmitted viasatellite link from a centrally located uplink site to a plurality ofhospitality establishments, where the digitized video programming isstored in the memory of a video server computer or is transmitted"real-time" to the hospitality establishment's customers. Theestablishment either has its own downlink facilities or shares downlinkfacilities with other hospitality establishments. The uplink facilityand satellite can transmit a variety of video signals--including videosignals for real-time viewing by customers, compressed video signals forstorage and subsequent retrieval and viewing by customers, and othertypes of digitized data, such as advertisements and barker screens.Various signal types, including operating system updates and digitizedmenus and advertisement graphics for the video programming, areseparated and appropriately processed and routed at the hospitalityfacility.

In the preferred embodiment, the principle elements of the interactivevideo services system of the present invention include a plurality ofintegrated receiver decoders (IRDs), a systems control computer and avideo server computer, all of which are located at the hospitalityestablishment. The IRDs are connected to a down link facility of thehospitality establishment and to receive and deliver real-time video andaudio transmissions from the satellite downlink facility to thehospitality establishment's MATV system to be accessed by customers viain-room TVs. In addition, the IRDs receive and deliver encoded,compressed video programming signals from the downlink facility to thevideo server computer and are also capable of receiving and deliveringother types of data signals from the downlink facility to the systemscontrol computer, via an intelligent radio frequency (RF) modem, forproviding advanced video services.

The systems control computer provides the logic support for the videoservices system, including the video server. The systems controlcomputer is connected to a plurality of TVs located in customer rooms ofthe hospitality establishment. The computer receives programmingrequests from customers and transmits commands to the video server orsome other video source. Similarly, the systems control computer isconnected to a variety of on-premises and off-premises data bases,including the establishment's computerized property management system,and to a computer terminal at the establishment's front desk. Thesystems control computer stores and processes the billing data and othertransaction information. In addition, the systems control computer iscapable of generating graphic, audio and video prompts. These promptsare displayed and/or broadcast on the in-room TVs and help explain tocustomers what services are available, clarify how to access and utilizevarious services, and assist customers in the selection of and paymentfor video programming. For this purpose, the systems control computerincludes sound and graphics boards or is connected to a processor thatcontains sound and graphics capability.

The systems control computer is connected to the room terminals and TVsvia a video distribution network. In one embodiment, the videodistribution network is comprised of coaxial cable and is used for thetransmission of RF signals. In this embodiment, the systems controlcomputer is connected to the video distribution network by graphicschannels and via an intelligent RF modem. In an alternative embodiment,the video distribution network can be fiber optic, in which casesignaling may be digital, rather than of RF.

Additionally, in the preferred embodiment, the systems control computeris connected to the video server by an Ethernet local area network(LAN). Alternatively, this connection between the systems controlcomputer and the video server can be some other type of LAN, such asToken Ring, can be a direct digital link, or the two components couldreside in the same unit. The systems control computer is capable ofstoring digitized audio, video and graphic data. This data can betransmitted to customers' rooms and broadcast on in-room TVs in the formof barker screens and advertisements, which may be transmitted from thesystems control computer in place of standard broadcast advertising.

In a preferred embodiment, the video server is capable of storing aminimum of twenty (20) feature length video programs, or movies, forvideo-on-demand and pay-per-view viewing by an establishment's customersand is also capable of storing digitized advertisements. The videoserver receives encoded, compressed video program data from the IRDs viaan RS 449 Opportunistic Data link or a full bandwidth link, for example.The encoded data is stored on a hard disk array within the video server.Once a movie is selected, the associated video data is converted from astandard MPEG format, for example, MPEG 1, MPEG 2 or some derivativethereof, into an RF format and is transmitted to the appropriate in-roomTV(s) via the property's MATV network.

In a particular room of the establishment, a customer utilizes a TVremote control unit, the room TV and the room terminal to access thevideo services system and order video-on-demand services. Typically, thecustomer will choose programming from a menu of choices. The customerinputs the selection utilizing the remote control unit or a keyboard onthe room terminal. The room terminal functions as a modem and transmitsthe selection to the systems control computer. The room terminal alsoprevents unauthorized viewing of the programming.

In the preferred embodiment, all video-on-demand and pay-per-viewprogramming is received via the downlink with the satellite. Someprogramming is stored in the video server, while other programming istransmitted real-time to the in-room TVs over the establishment'sinternal video distribution network. In an alternative embodiment,additional video storage devices also can be connected to, andcontrolled by, the systems controls computer. For example, the systemscontrol computer can control traditional video tape players and therobotic tape racks described above. These analog systems can be used toaugment the programming selection provided by the video server or can beused as a backup system in case the video server fails.

In another aspect of the invention, because the video server andassociated systems control computer are located on the premises of thehospitality establishment, customers can easily interact with thosecomputers to control the video programming. Accordingly, customers canutilize video tape play-type commands (e.g.,"pause," "fast forward," and"bookmark"), play video games, or, as new interactive multimediaproducts are developed, interact with the programming to an even greaterdegree. The "bookmark" application functions similar to a bookmark usedto mark a page in a book. The systems control computer and the videoserver function together to "remember" where the particular customerimplemented the bookmark application until the customer can retrieve thevideo program and begin viewing where he or she left off.

A technical advantage achieved with the invention is that videoprogramming can be delivered to a plurality of hospitalityestablishments, which can be located internationally, via a singlesatellite source from a single centralized video library source.

A further technical advantage achieved with the invention is that thedigitized video programming can be stored at the premises of thehospitality establishment for an indefinite period of time.

A further technical advantage achieved with the invention is that,because the video programming is stored as digital signals in a videoserver, the video signals are not susceptible to the type of degradationtypically associated analog signals stored on magnetic tape and othermedia.

A further technical advantage achieved with the invention is thattransmission and storage of digital encoded data is more secure thanbroadcast analog signals and video tape, thereby providing an advantageto the major entertainment studios that retain ownership rights to theprogramming.

A further technical advantage achieved with the invention is thatmultiple customers at the hospitality establishment can access any givendigitized video program, including programming already being viewed byother customers. In this manner, customers can access the digitizedvideo programming at a time of their choosing.

A further technical advantage achieved with the invention is thatcustomers can use TV remote control units to select and controlvideo-on-demand programming.

A further technical advantage achieved with the invention is thatadvertising can be transmitted from the systems control computer or thevideo server in place of advertising received from the standardbroadcast TV networks. This advertising can be transmitted to the TV inplace of advertising from broadcast or cable television.

A further technical advantage is that the room terminal can be used toprevent unauthorized access to video-on-demand programming.

A further technical advantage achieved with the invention is thatmultiple types of data can be received simultaneously from the satellitedownlink facility and then transmitted to the appropriate storagefacility or converted to RF signals for transmission directly to in-roomTVs.

A further technical advantage achieved with the invention is that thecustomers of the hospitality facility are able to interact with andcontrol the video programming without having to transmit upstreamsignals to a destination away from the hospitality establishment. Lowspeed upstream transmissions are subject to signal degradation and timedelays-generally based on the distance that the signals must travel.Hence, because of the proximity of the interactive keypad/remote controlunit to the systems control computer, signal degradation and time delaysare significantly reduced such that they are virtually imperceptible tothe customer.

A further technical advantage achieved with the invention is thatlinking the remote control, the TV, the room terminal, the systemscontrol terminal and the video server, enables the provision ofinteractive capability not previously available to a hospitalityestablishment customer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a centralized distribution center andsatellite delivery network for use in implementing the system of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a video services system embodying featuresof the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram of several integrated receiverdecoders of the video services system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a detailed block diagram of the video server and the systemscontrol computer of the video services system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a room terminal of the videoservices system of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a centralized distribution center and satellitedelivery network for use in implementing the system of the presentinvention is designated by a reference numeral 1. The network 1comprises an uplink facility 2 for transmitting encoded and compresseddigital video programming signals stored in a distribution center 2a toa satellite 3. Once received by the satellite 3, the video data signalsare relayed to a plurality of hospitality establishments, which in theillustrated embodiment are represented by hotels 4, 5 and 6. In theillustrated embodiment, each of the hotels 4, 5 and 6 has its owndownlink facilities 4a, 5a and 6a, respectively, it being understoodthat in an alternative embodiment, multiple hospitality establishmentswill share downlink facilities. For example, Spectradyne, Inc., a unitof SIP Holding, Inc., currently uses Electronic Data Systems Corp. (EDS)to transmit digitized, encoded programming from its facilities inDallas, Tex. to a satellite similar to the satellite 3. The satellitethen retransmits the programming to numerous hotels serviced bySpectradyne located both within and outside the United States.

In a preferred embodiment, the digital programming is encoded accordingto standards set by the Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG); however,other encoding and compression standards, including proprietarystandards, could also be utilized. In the illustrated embodiment, theencoded data is converted to microwave radio signals and is transmittedfrom the uplink facility 2 to the satellite 3. In addition, "real-time"video programming and other digitized data can be transmittedsimultaneously utilizing the uplink facility 2 and satellite 3 to aplurality of hotels 4, 5 and 6.

In an alternative embodiment, transmission means other than thesatellite delivery network 1 may be used. Encoded data may betransmitted by any means available, for example, the data may betransmitted by microwave means or over fiber optic transmission means.In addition, the encoded data may be transmitted over public and/orprivate telecommunications networks.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a video services system 9 embodyingfeatures of the present invention. In FIG. 2, video program datatransmitted via a satellite delivery network, such as the deliverynetwork 1 (FIG. 1 ), is received by a downlink facility 10, which isidentical to the downlink facilities 4a, 5a and 6a (FIG. 1 ). Thereceived video data is transmitted to a plurality of integrated receiverdecoders (IRDs) 11 for determining the type of programming comprisingthe data, based on header information, the type of encoding schemeutilized and/or the frequency range of the received video data, and thenprocessing and routing the data accordingly. For example, if thereceived video data is encoded utilizing MPEG 2, it is transmitted to avideo server 12. If the video data is encoded utilizing a proprietarycoding scheme, it is decoded, decompressed, and converted to RF signalsfor transmission on a distribution network 14 of the hospitality'sestablishment as "real-time" video programming. If the data beingprocessed is non-video data, or if the data is for barker screens oraudio/video advertisements, the data is transmitted to a systems controlcomputer 13. Typically, the systems control computer 13 receives datasuch as operating system updates, on-screen movie menus, synopses of thevideo-on-demand programming, and advertisements graphics. Advertisementsmay also be stored in the video server 12. Likewise, if the data fallswithin a predetermined frequency range, it is determined to be a certainprogram for real-time transmission. Data in another predeterminedfrequency range is a separate program.

Both the video server 12 and the systems control computer 13 areconnected to a plurality of room terminals, represented by a roomterminal 15, and a plurality of in-room TVs, represented by a TV 15, bythe video distribution network 14. Typically, the network 14 is a radiofrequency (RF) network, in which data is transmitted in a RF format tothe room terminal 15 via the network 14. Data also could be transmittedvia video distribution network 14 in a digital format. Moreover, it ispossible that the network 14 could be constructed using fiber opticalcable.

Often, the video distribution network 14 is configured in a trunk/branchstructure. In smaller establishments, numerous branches of coaxial cableconnect to a single trunk, while larger hospitality establishments mayhave a plurality of trunks, each of which may be associated with aparticular floor of the establishment, each with a plurality ofbranches. The plurality of trunks allows the systems control computer 13to allocate channel band width for multiple programming. For example,channel 72 can be allocated for the transmission of a movie A on thetrunk associated with the second floor of a hotel, while at the sametime, a movie D may be transmitted on channel 72, on the trunkassociated with the third floor of the hotel.

The video distribution network 14 is connected to a plurality of roomterminals represented by room terminals 15. Generally, in a hospitalityfacility, each of the guest rooms will have one room terminal per TV.The room terminal 15 interfaces with the systems control computer 13,the video server 12 and other video sources controlled by the computer13 (not shown), and an in room TV 16. The room terminal 15 is usually aself-contained unit, but can also be a "smart tap" connected to the wallor reside within the TV 16. The room terminal 15 can have two or moreexternal buttons or a full keypad for use by the customer in selectingprogramming and changing television channels. Alternatively, the roomterminal 15 may have no external keys, in which case the customer uses aremote control 17 and alternative channel changer means of the TV 16(not shown) to perform the aforementioned functions. The room terminal15 is utilized to control reception of the broadcast television andspecial pay-per-view and video-on-demand programming. The room terminal15 also controls use of interactive video services by providing a userinterface to the systems control computer 13 and various systemapplications.

There are several methods by which the room terminal 15 can transmitdata to the systems control computer 13. Some room terminals transmitvideo data directly to the computer 13 immediately upon receipt thereof.Other room terminals temporarily store the data and transmit only afterbeing polled by the computer 13.

The TV 16 and remote control unit 17 are preferably standard units. SomeTVs which are currently available include the functionality of the roomterminal 15, such that a separate unit is not needed. In addition, someTVs use unique protocols to communicate with the associated roomterminals. Moreover, as will be shown and described with reference toFIG. 5, the room terminal 15 and/or the TV 16 may be connected tomagnetic card reading devices that are capable of reading andtransmitting credit and debit card information to the systems controlcomputer 13 for validation.

In operation, data is received by the downlink facility 10 andtransmitted to the IRDs 11. The IRDs 11 decode and decompress all"real-time" pay-per-view programming, i.e., programming to beimmediately broadcast to customers at prescheduled times, and directlytransmit such programming in an RF format to the video distributionnetwork 14. It is anticipated that in a future embodiment, "real-timedata" actually may be transmitted and received several times faster thanreal-time. The customer uses the remote control 17 to change the TV 16(or the room terminal 15) to an appropriate channel to receive thepay-per-view programming. If the customer chooses the programming, theroom terminal 15 notifies the systems control computer 13, and a billingrecord is established. Alternatively, the systems control computer 13monitors the room terminal 15, records that the customer has chosenpay-per-view programming, and establishes a billing record.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are detailed functional block diagrams of select portionsof the system 9 of FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 3, the downlink facility 10receives encoded data signals from the satellite 3 (FIG. 1) andtransmits the received data signals to the IRDs 11 at a bit rate of 3.3or 6.6 megabits per second (mbps). It should be understood that the datasignals will typically have been previously multiplexed utilizing aknown frequency multiplexing format. In addition, it is common that thedata is transmitted in packets of information. In one embodiment, theIRDs 11 can be the type manufactured by Compression Lab, Inc. Althoughnot shown, it should be understood that each IRD 11 includes a satellitequadrature phase shifting keying (QPSK) demodulator and a video/audiodecoder. Each IRD 11 is programmed to decode signals within apreselected frequency range. Generally, the video services system 9(FIG. 1) would have one IRD 11 for each item of "real-time" pay-per-viewprogramming transmitted by the satellite 3; that is, if the systemcommonly receives eight separate pay-per-view programs, it will haveeight IRDs 11.

In addition, each IRD 11 includes a data expansion unit (DEU) 101. TheDEUs 101 are modules added to the IRDs 11 and provide ports for anRS-232 serial connection and an RS-449 connection for data transfer tothe video server 12. The DEUs 101 enable the IRDs 11 to transmit digitaldata directly to the systems control computer 13 via an RS-232 serialport and transmission means 104. The DEUs 101 also enable the IRDs 11 totransmit digital data directly to the video server 12 via an RS-449 portand transmission means 105.

Each IRD 11 is connected to a frequency modulator 102, to which itoutputs standard NTSC audio/video signals. Each frequency modulator 102converts the NTSC audio/visual signals received from the IRDs 11 to anRF format. The frequency modulators 102 modulate the signals to anappropriate television carrier frequency for tuning reception by theroom terminal 15 or TV 16. The modulated signals are then transmittedvia transmission means 103 to the video distribution network 14 (FIG.2). In addition, all of the IRDs 11 are connected, via the associatedDEUs 101, to an intelligent RF modem (described in FIG. 4). Theintelligent modem (FIG. 4) monitors the IRDs 11 to determine servicestatus and to issue channel change commands.

In addition, the IRDs 11 are capable of differentiating between datawithin a given packet of information. For example, when videoprogramming is encoded, some packets contain data for an entire screen,or portion of a screen, and other packets only contain data representingchanges that occur to the given screen. The second type of packet oftendoes not contain enough data to be a complete packet. Accordingly, datafor other video programs can be added to the packet. With thisinvention, encoded data for the video-on-demand programming, which willbe stored in the video server 12 (FIG. 2), are added to packets for the"real time" pay-per-view programs. This data is separated by the IRDs 11and transmitted, still in its encoded format, to the video server 12.

In FIG. 4, the IRDs 11 (FIG. 3) are connected to the video server 12.The video server 12 is primarily used to store encoded, digitized videoprogramming for video-on-demand services. The preferred embodiment isimplemented using a video server provided by EDS Corporation. Althoughnot shown, it should be understood that the video server 12 comprises aplurality of video disk drives in a video disk drive array, a video diskarray controller, MPEG decoder circuit boards, and two processors,including a store-and-forward processor and a server processor. Thevideo disk drives allow only read-only access by customers. Duringoperation, the store-and-forward processor receive the downloaded videoprogramming data files from the IRDs 11 and the DEUs 101 via link 105.The store-and-forward processor reconstructs the video programming datafiles and insures file integrity. Once rebuilt, the files for the videoprogram are forwarded to the server processor. The server processortransmits the data files to the video disk derive array. Thestore-and-forward processor also interfaces, via protocols, with thesystems control computer 13. When the store-and-forward processorreceives a command to transmit a movie, a command is issued to theserver processor. The server processor commands the disk array todownload data files to the MPEG decoder circuit board. once decoded, theprogram is transmitted to the video distribution network 14 via aplurality of analog video links 200. Each modulator 201 is utilized tomodulate the signals to an appropriate television carrier frequency fortuning reception by the room terminal 15 or TV 16. In the preferredembodiment, the video server 12 is capable of switching any givenprogramming to be output on any decoder channel. Alternatively, a videodistribution switch (not shown) can be added to the system 9 between thevideo server 12 and the frequency modulators 201. Such a switch wouldfunction as a crosspoint switch and would allow the systems controlcomputer 13 to allocate use of the links 200.

In accordance with a feature of the present invention, more than onecustomer can simultaneously view the same video program and can evenbegin viewing the selected video program at different times. Theread-only files that are stored on the video disk drive can supportmultiple accesses. Based on a customer command, the server processordirects the data corresponding to the selected video program to aseparate MPEG decoder circuit board. The video data is decoded andtransmitted to the designated room terminal 15 and TV 16 via a separatelink 200.

In the preferred embodiment, the video server 12 is a modularconfiguration, with the initial module capable of storing twenty (20) tothirty (30) programs, such as movies, depending on the length of theprogram, that are simultaneously accessible to thirty-two (32) customersvia their in-room room terminals and associated TVs. Additional moduleswould enable this video server 12 to store as many as 900 full lengthmovies that are simultaneously accessible to hundreds of viewers.However, for the hospitality market, it may not be necessary for a videoserver ever to store a library of more than fifty (50) to one hundred(100) full length video programs. Because of the architecture, the videoserver 12 constantly can be updated with popular programming, while lesspopular programming is erased. All programs are available to all roomterminals 15/televisions 16 connected to the system 9 at any time.

The video server 12 receives commands from the systems control computer13, which instructs the server 12 regarding which programming to play,when to play the programming and which room terminals are to receive theprogramming. The video server determines the transmission channel andchannel selection back to the systems control computer 13 via theEthernet LAN 202. The system 9 can be configured so that only onecustomer or multiple customers can access a particular video-on-demandprogram stored in the server 12 at a given time.

The video server 12 decodes video data comprising a selected movie usingMPEG standards and transmits the decoded data utilizing radiofrequencies. The video server 12 also can store the video programmingdata for scheduled pay-per-view programming. At a scheduled time, thesystems control computer 13 commands the video server 12 to transmit theselected program on a channel that can be accessed by all thehospitality establishment's customers. The systems control computer 13monitors the room terminals in order to determine which customers accessthe programming and should be billed for the services.

The video server 12 is connected to the systems control computer 13 viaan Ethernet LAN 202. The systems control computer 13 provides logicsupport for the video server 12 and comprises a processor for dataprocessing capability, hard drive storage for storing control andprogram algorithms, and read only memory (ROM) and random access memory(RAM). In one embodiment, the systems control computer 13 is a personalcomputer that utilizes an Intel 486 DX processor, 33 MHz with a 210MegaByte ICE hard disk and the SCO Lite UNIX Operating System, althoughit should be understood that a variety of other computer configuration scan be utilized. In addition, the systems control computer 13 willinclude custom applications software, sound boards and multichannelgraphics circuit boards. The computer 13 is capable of generatinggraphics screens, as well as video and/or audio prompts, to interactwith customers.

The systems control computer 13 is connected to the room terminals 15(FIG. 2), via the video distribution network 14. The computer 13receives information from the room terminals 15, and utilizes thereceived information to provide video and other services for thecustomer. The systems control computer 13 is also connected, preferablyvia RS-232 serial links, to the hospitality establishment's propertymanagement system (PMS) 203, a printer (not shown), a front deskterminal (not shown). These connections allow the systems controlcomputer 13 to integrate the video services system 9 with thehospitality establishment's billing system to provide a variety ofcustomer and billing services. In addition, the computer 13 contains a9600 baud modem (not shown). The modem enables remote access by themanagement company in order to download records and perform remotediagnosis of all system computers and allows the computer 13 to accessremote data bases and services.

The systems control computer 13 is connected to the video server 12 andto graphics engines 204 via the Ethernet LAN 202. LAN operating softwareresides within the computer 13. The systems control computer 13communicates with the video server 12 with a proprietary and copyrightedprotocol. The computer 13 receives commands for video-on-demandprogramming from the room terminal 15 and send commands to the videoserver 12 to cause the server 12 to broadcast, or "play" the selectedprogram. In addition, the computer 13 monitors the video server 12 todetermine which programs are available and which programs are beingwatched. The computer 13 performs diagnostics and status tests on allchannels in the video server 12 system. Likewise, the video server 12can store the data for pay-per-view programming, in which case, thesystems control computer 13 must include scheduling instructions and atiming means such that at prescheduled times, the systems controlcomputer 13 can transmit a command to the video server 12 regardingwhich programming to play and which room terminal 15 is to receive theprogramming.

The graphics engines 204 are utilized to distribute some audio, videoand graphics applications from the computer 13 to remote processors. Thegraphics engines comprise a processor (motherboard), graphics card,Ethernet card, and audio sound card. The disk operating system andWindows applications for the graphics engines 204 reside in the systemscontrol computer. The graphics engines are utilized for generatingaudio/visual prompts, barker screens, and other advertisements andsimilar applications, which the systems control computer 13 can cause tobe displayed on the TV 16 in place of broadcast advertising. The systemscontrol computer 13 also can be connected, via the Ethernet LAN, to CDROM units (not pictured).

The systems control computer 13 is connected to an intelligent RF modem205 via an RS 232 serial link. Alternatively, the modem 205 may beinternal to the computer 13. The RF modem 205 is utilized to convertcomputer communications signals to the room terminals 15 from a digitalformat to RF signals. In the preferred embodiment, the modem 205includes its own limited processing capability. Therefore, instead ofutilizing the processing capability of the computer 13 to initiatecommunications to the room terminals 15 or the IRDs 11, the intelligentRF modem 205 may poll, communicate, and receive data at its owninitiative and connects the appropriate terminals to the computer 13only for status changes. As described above, the RF modem 205 provides acommand and status interface with the IRDs 11.

The systems control computer 13 is directly connected to the IRDs 11 viathe RS 232 serial link 104. Data for scheduling and billing, as well asaudio/visual data for advertisements, can be transmitted to thehospitality establishment via the satellite 3 (FIG. 1) or throughanother communications network. This data can be differentiated fromother video data by the IRDs 11 and transmitted directly to the systemscontrol computer 13 via link 104. If the data for advertisements is inthe MPEG format, it will be transmitted directly to the video server 12via link 105.

As previously indicated, the systems control computer 13 and thegraphics engines 204 are connected to the video distribution network 14by a plurality of links 200. Each link 200 is connected to a frequencymodulator 201. The frequency modulator 201 is utilized to modulate thesignals to an appropriate television carrier frequency for tuningreception by the room terminal 15 or TV 16. Alternatively, a videodistribution switch (not shown) may be added to the system between thesystems control computer 13/graphic engines 204 and the frequencymodulators 201. As described previously, this switch would function as acrosspoint switch and would allow the systems control computer 13 toallocate the use of the channels.

In an exemplary operation, a customer responds to a menu displayed onthe TV 16 that lists programming stored in the video server 12 by usingthe remote control unit 17 to select items from the menu. Infraredsignals generated by the remote control unit 17 are transmitted to theTV 16, which transmits the signals to the data processor 401 of the roomterminal 15. These signals, along with the unique address of the roomterminal 15, are transmitted to the systems control computer 13. Thesystems control computer 13 processes the request and issues commands tothe video server 12 via the Ethernet LAN 202. The systems controlcomputer 13 also transmits audio/video or graphic instructions to the TV16 instructing the customer to tune the TV 16 to a specific channelfrequency bandwidth, such as that represented by channel 15, to receivethe programming. Alternatively, the room terminal 15 can tune thechannel for the customer. The systems control computer 13 processesbilling information entered by the customer, if such billing informationis entered using a card reader 401 (FIG. 5) or the remote control unit17, or adds the charge for the service to the room bill by accessing theestablishment's property management system 403 via an RS 232 seriallink. In addition, the systems control computer 13 transmits commands tothe video server 12 and frequency modulators 201 designating a channelfor transmitting the selected program.

Upon receipt of a particular command from the systems control computer13, the video server 12 begins downloading the selected programming fromthe appropriate disk drives (not shown). In addition, the video server12 converts the data from MPEG format to NTSC format. Finally, the videoserver 12 converts the digital data to RF signals. These RF signals arethen transmitted to frequency modulators 201, which modulate the signalsto the appropriate frequency channel.

As previously stated, the system as described herein allows customers tointeract with the programs stored in the video server 12. For example,customers can use the remote control unit 17 to implement a "bookmark"application. This application allows customers to stop the transmissionof a selected video program and begin watching the program from theexact same point at a later time, until the program is erased from thevideo server 12 by the reception of new programming via the deliverynetwork 1. However, time limit parameters for the "bookmark" applicationcan be programmed into the systems control computer 13; for example,bookmarks could be erased after 24 hours. Likewise, when a customerchecks out of the hospitality establishment, the systems controlcomputer 13 is notified of the status change by the PMS 203. In responseto the notification, the systems control computer 13 could command thevideo server 12 to erase that customer's bookmark. Accordingly, thisapplication represents an advancement in the art over video serversystems that only allow a customer to "pause" the program for shotperiods of time. The room terminal 15 transmits the signal for thebookmark application via the video distribution network 14 to thesystems control computer 13. The systems control computer 13 receivesthe command and stores the room number, billing information, channelinformation, and other vital information in its memory. The computer 13also transmits commands, via the LAN 202, to the video server 12 tocease transmission of the program and to mark in its memory the stoppingplace. The customer can reactivate transmission of the programming withthe remote control 17. The room terminal 15 transmits the command to thesystems control computer 13 via the video distribution network 14. Thesystems control computer 13 receives the transmission and forwards theappropriate data to the video server 12 via the LAN 202 to reactivatetransmission of the program from the location of the bookmark.

As another example, the system as described herein is capable ofreceiving advertisements from the uplink facility 2 and satellite 3(FIG. 1) and storing them either in the systems control computer 13 orthe video server 12. The advertising data is forwarded to theappropriate storage facility by the IRDs 11 and DEUs 101 based on theformat of the encoded signals. In addition, data for time schedules fortransmitting the advertisement to the room TVs and channel information,as well as header information identifying the advertisement, aretransmitted with the advertisement. Typically, such advertisements areshown at scheduled times. For example, a cable news station chooses tolet Spectradyne show its own advertisements instead of the regularbroadcast advertisements. At the scheduled time, the systems controlcomputer 13 begins to transmit one of the advertisements over links 200.The transmitted advertisement is modulated to the appropriate channel byfrequency modulator 201. If the advertisement is stored within a memoryof the video server 12, the systems control computer 13 transmitsappropriate signals to the video server 12 via the Ethernet LAN 202,identifying the advertisement to be transmitted, the transmissionchannel over which it is to be transmitted, and other information. Theadvertisement is transmitted via links 200 to the frequency modulator201 where it is modulated to the appropriate frequency. In this manner,the customer receives the advertisement transmitted by the systemscontrol computer 13 rather than the one transmitted by the cabletelevision station. Alternatively, instead of scheduled advertisements,some television and cable stations precede their advertisements with atransmitted queue tone. The systems control computer 13 monitors theprogramming for a queue and upon detecting the tone, the appropriateadvertisement is transmitted as described above.

Not only does the system 9 provide the flexibility for the systemscontrol computer 13 to instruct the video server 12 to preempt cable andbroadcast television commercials by inserting commercials forpay-per-view and video-on-demand services, the systems control computer13 can selectively insert commercials based on the viewing habits ofeach particular customer. The systems control computer 13 retainsrecords of the video-on-demand services and pay-per-view programmingpurchased by each customer for billing and other purposes. The systemscontrol computer utilizes this data base to determine which programmingthe customer has already viewed. The systems control computer 13 candelete advertisements for those programs from the commercialtransmission schedule algorithm for that customer. Likewise, analgorithm can be used by the systems control computer 13 to select andtransmit commercials based on the customer's interests. For example, ifthe customer has viewed several adventure programs, the systems controlcomputer 13 will determine that the customer prefers adventure programsand command that a larger proportion of advertisements transmitted tothat customer are directed toward adventure programs. Theseadvertisements controlled by the systems control computer 13 can residein hard disk memory of the systems control computer, in the hard diskarray of the video server 12 or in a graphics engine 204.

Similarly, cable or network program codes (the identification code foreach broadcast program), as well as program schedules, can be input intothe systems control computer 13 via the 9600 baud modem (not shown) orthe satellite or other communications network link via the IRDs 11 andDEUs 101. For example, the identification code for the movie "Beauty andthe Beast" is 83502. As the systems control computer 13 monitors andpolls the plurality of room terminals, it determines the channel that acustomer is accessing with the TV 16. An algorithm compares that channelwith the time of day, the schedule, and the program identificationcodes. The systems control computer 13 then determines and records in aninternal data base the programming viewed by the customer as determinedby the customer's room terminal 15. The systems control computer 13 canuse the internal data base information to determine what type ofprogramming the customer prefers and then transmit advertisements forsimilar programming to the customer. For example, if the customer viewsthe movie "Beauty and the Beast" on a cable television channel, thecomputer 13 commands that a larger proportion of advertisements for thechildren's programming stored in the video server 12 is transmitted tothe room terminal 15 and displayed on the TV 16.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the room terminal 15 with anoptional card reader 401. It should be understood that various functionsand circuits of the room terminal 15 not directly related to theinvention as disclosed herein are not shown or described herein. Aspreviously indicated, many TVs now have internal data processors andinfrared receivers and incorporate much of the same capability as roomterminals manufactured as recently as five years ago. Because of theincreased capability of the TV 16 and duplicated functionality, it hasbecome common in the art for a video services system to utilize roomterminals with decreased functionality, but including a data processor,such as the data processor 402, that is capable of interacting, viaprotocols, with the processor of a TV.

Data processor 402 is connected to a processor (not shown) of the TV 16via an RJ 11-type interface (not shown). Four of the six wires of the RJ11 interface, respectively, carry data from the processor 402 to the TV16 processor, data from the TV 16 processor to the processor 402,infrared data from an infrared receiver (not shown) of the TV 16 to theprocessor 402, and clock information from the TV 16 to the processor402.

The room terminal 15 includes a power supply 403, which outputs +5 voltsfor use by the circuits of the room terminal 15. Because of the lowpower requirements of the room terminal 15, it can receive power from awall plug or from the TV 16. A transmitter 404 is utilized by the roomterminal to transmit signals to the systems control computer 13. Whenthe transmitter 404 receives data and the appropriate signal from a dataprocessor 402, the resulting signal is output to the systems controlcomputer 13 by means of a diplexer 405.

The diplexer 405 provides capability both to transmit and receivesignals over the RF carrier network. Cable or broadcast televisionsignals pass through the diplexer directly to the TV. Commands or othersignals from the systems control computer 13 are directed by thediplexer 405 to a frequency shift key (FSK) receiver 406 and then to thedata processor 402.

The data processor 402 receives inputs from and controls almost allcircuits comprising the room terminal 15. Each room terminal 15 in thehospitality establishment has a unique identification number, oraddress, that is stored in the processor 402. The processor 402 must atleast have adequate processing capability to process billing datareceived from the optional card reader 401 and commands received fromthe TV 16, including commands input by the customer with the remotecontrol unit 17. Characteristically, this data is temporarily stored ina nonvolatile random access memory (RAM) 407. Data is read from the RAM407 and transmitted to the transmitter 404 when requested by the systemscontrol computer 13 (i.e., when the room terminal 15 is polled by thecomputer 13). Alternatively, the data is read from the RAM 407 andtransmitted by the transmitter 404 without being polled by the computer13 if the communications is initiated by the room terminal 15.

As described above, the data processor 402 interacts with the TV's dataprocessor. Among other functions, the data processor 402 and the systemscontrol computer 13 manipulate the tuning of the TV 16 tuning forreception of video-on-demand programs and to prevent unauthorized accessto programming. The systems control computer 13 transmits instructionsto customers using audio/video or graphics screens, instructing them totune to a particular channel frequency bandwidth to view the selectedvideo-on-demand programming. Typically, hospitality video systemsreserve a block of channel frequency bandwidth that cannot be tuned bythe customer for video-on-demand programs. As previously described, acustomer uses the remote control unit 17 to select programming from amenu displayed on the TV 16. Upon receipt of signals from the remotecontrol unit 17, via the TV 16, the room terminal 15 transmits commandsto the systems control computer 13 requesting broadcast of the selectedvideo-on-demand program. The systems control computer 13 transmitsappropriate commands to the video server 12, including channel frequencybandwidth information. In addition, the systems control computer 13transmits the commands to the room terminal 15 and the TV 16 instructingthat the channel is tuned to the same channel frequency as that beingtransmitted by the video server 12. The channel frequency actually usedis different than the one selected by the customer. In other words, thesystems control computer 13 and room terminal 15 cause the selectedprogram to be received at a channel frequency bandwidth different thanthat selected by the customer.

For example, assuming the customer has tuned the TV 16 to a frequencybandwidth represented by channel 15, the systems control computer 13 andthe room terminal 15 will retune the TV 16 to a frequency bandwidthnormally inaccessible by the customer (e.g., channel 28) unless a movieor other video-on-demand program is ordered. The customer is unaware ofthis activity. Other customers that tune to channel 15 will not receivethe video-on-demand programming selected by the particular customer. Inthis manner, and because the process is controlled by the systemscontrol computer 13 and the room terminal 15, unauthorized access tovideo-on-demand is blocked.

It is understood that variations may be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Forexample, with the preferred embodiment, each hospitality establishmentwould contain a plurality of IRDs 11, a systems control computer 13 anda video server 12. As an alternate embodiment, elements of the presentinvention could be centrally located and utilized to providepay-per-view and video-on-demand services for a plurality of properties.In another alternative embodiment, the functionality of the systemscontrol computer 13 and the video server 12 can be combined into onecomputer. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the data that isto be used for the "real-time" video broadcasts first would betransmitted to the video server 12 and then decoded and decompressed bythe video server 12, at the command of the systems control computer 13,for transmission to the customers' room TVs.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have beenshown and described, a latitude of modification, change and substitutionis intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in certain instances, somefeatures of the invention will be employed without a corresponding useof other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appendedclaims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An interactive video services system for enabling a user at a hospitality establishment to access and control presentation of digitized video programs on a television, the system comprising:a remote control unit associated with said television for generating user command signals; a room terminal electrically connected to said television for formatting and storing said user command signals; means connected to said room terminal for entering billing information; a systems control computer (SCS) electrically connected to said room terminal for processing said user command signals; a digital video server computer (DVSC) electrically connected to said SCS and to said television for storing a plurality of digitized video programs for presentation on said television; wherein said user command signals generated using said remote control unit comprise select command signals for selecting one of said stored digitized video programs and control command signals for controlling presentation of said selected video program on said television by said DVSC; wherein said SCS causes said DVSC to initiate presentation of said selected video program on said television in response to said select signals and controls said presentation of said selected video program on said television by said DVSC in response to said control signals and a plurality of integrated receiver decoders (IRDs) connected to receive video data from a video distribution center, said plurality of IRDs being for processing said received video data and for routing said received video data to said SCS, to said DVSC or directly to said television responsive to said processing.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein said IRDs are connected to said video distribution center via a satellite delivery network and wherein said system further comprises downlink facilities connected to receive said video data from said satellite delivery network and transmit said video data to said IRDs.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein said received video data comprises digitized video programs for presentation on said television.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein said received video data comprises advertisements for presentation on said television.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein said SCS further comprise means for displaying a graphics screen on said television for assisting said user in selecting one of said stored digitized video programs.
 6. The system of claim 1 further comprising means connected to said SCS for storing a plurality of advertisements.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein said SCS comprises:means for selecting one of said plurality of advertisements; and means for initiating presentation of said selected one of said plurality of advertisements on said television on a predetermined channel at a predetermined time.
 8. The system of claim 6 wherein said SCS comprises:means for monitoring broadcast programming on a predetermined channel for a queue tone; and means for initiating presentation on said television of a selected one of said plurality of advertisements on said predetermined channel in place of said broadcast programming responsive to detection of said queue tone.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein said entering means is a magnetic card reader.
 10. The system of claim 1 further comprising an intelligent radio frequency (RF) modem connected between said SCS and said room terminal for converting signals generated by said SCS from digital to RF signal format.
 11. The system of claim 9 further comprising a frequency modulator responsive to signals from said SCS for tuning the channel of said selected video program to a channel specified by said room terminal.
 12. The system of claim 1 wherein said control command signals comprise a signal for initiating a fast forward operation.
 13. The system of claim 1 wherein said control command signals comprise a signal for initiating a rewind operation.
 14. The system of claim 1 wherein said control command signals comprise a signal for initiating a bookmark operation.
 15. The system of claim 1 wherein said room terminal prevents unauthorized presentation of said digitized video programs on said television.
 16. A method for enabling a user at a hospitality establishment to access and control presentation of digitized video programs on a television located at the hospitality establishment, the method comprising:storing a plurality of digitized video programs in a digital video server computer (DVSC) at said hospitality establishment; selecting one of said stored digitized video programs for presentation on said television; prior to said selecting, displaying on said television a list of said stored digitized video programs, said selecting further comprising using a remote control key pad to generate signals to said television indicative of said selected digitized video program; associating billing information with said television for billing of said selected digitized video program; presenting said selected digitized video program on said television; transmitting presentation control signals to said DVSC to control presentation of said selected digitized video program on said television; storing a plurality of advertisements, selecting one of said plurality of advertisements, and initiating presentation on said television of said selected one of said plurality of advertisements on a predetermined channel at a predetermined time; determining which ones of said stored digitized video programs have already been presented to said user; and selecting one of said plurality of advertisements advertising one of said plurality of video programs that has not already been presented to said user.
 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:receiving video data from a centralized video distribution center; processing said received video data; and routing said received video data to said DVSC, said television or a systems control computer (SCS) responsive to said processing.
 18. The method of claim 16 further comprising:converting signals comprising said selected digitized video program from digital signal format to radio frequency (RF) signal format.
 19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:tuning said selected digitized video program to a channel selected by a room terminal connected to said television.
 20. The method of claim 16 wherein said control command signals comprise a fast forward command signal.
 21. The method of claim 16 wherein said control command signals comprise a rewind command signal.
 22. The method of claim 16 wherein said control command signals comprise a bookmark command signal.
 23. The method of claim 16 further comprising preventing unauthorized presentation of said digitized video programs on said television.
 24. A method for enabling a user at a hospitality establishment to access and control presentation of digitized video programs on a television located at the hospitality establishment, the method comprising:storing a plurality of digitized video programs in a digital video server computer (DVSC) at said hospitality establishment; selecting one of said stored digitized video programs for presentation on said television; prior to said selecting, displaying on said television a list of said stored digitized video programs, said selecting further comprising using a remote control key pad to generate signals to said television indicative of said selected digitized video program; associating billing information with said television for billing of said selected digitized video program; presenting said selected digitized video program on said television; transmitting presentation control signals to said DVSC to control presentation of said selected digitized video program on said television; storing a plurality of advertisements, selecting one of said plurality of advertisements, and initiating presentation on said television of said selected one of said plurality of advertisements on a predetermined channel at a predetermined time; monitoring broadcast programming on a predetermined channel for a queue tone; and initiating presentation on said television of said at least one advertisement on said predetermined channel in place of said broadcast programming responsive to detection of said queue tone.
 25. The method of claim 24 further comprising:converting signals comprising said selected digitized video program from digital signal format to radio frequency (RF) signal format.
 26. The method of claim 25 further comprising:tuning said selected digitized video program to a channel selected by a room terminal connected to said television.
 27. The method of claim 24 wherein said control command signals comprise a fast forward command signal.
 28. The method of claim 24 wherein said control command signals comprise a rewind command signal.
 29. The method of claim 24 wherein said control command signals comprise a bookmark command signal.
 30. The method of claim 24 further comprising preventing unauthorized presentation of said digitized video programs on said television.
 31. An interactive video services system for enabling a user at a hospitality establishment to access and control presentation of digitized video programs on a television, the system comprising:a remote control unit associated with said television for generating user command signals; a room terminal electrically connected to said television for formatting and storing said user command signals; means connected to said room terminal for entering billing information; a systems control computer (SCS) electrically connected to said room terminal for processing said user command signals; and a digital video server computer (DVSC) electrically connected to said SCS and to said television for storing a plurality of digitized video programs for presentation on said television; wherein said user command signals generated using said remote control unit comprise select command signals for selecting one of said stored digitized video programs and control command signals for controlling presentation of said selected video program on said television by said DVSC; wherein said SCS causes said DVSC to initiate presentation of said selected video program on said television in response to said select signals and controls said presentation of said selected video program on said television by said DVSC in response to said control signals; means connected to said SCS for storing a plurality of advertisements; means for selecting one of said plurality of advertisements from a viewer profile selected using said SCS; and means for initiating presentation of said selected one of said plurality of advertisements on said television on a predetermined channel at a predetermined time.
 32. An interactive video services system for enabling a user at a hospitality establishment to access and control presentation of digitized video programs on a television, the system comprising:a remote control unit associated with said television for generating user command signals; a room terminal electrically connected to said television for formatting and storing said user command signals; means connected to said room terminal for entering billing information; a systems control computer (SCS) electrically connected to said room terminal for processing said user command signals; and a digital video server computer (DVSC) electrically connected to said SCS and to said television for storing a plurality of digitized video programs for presentation on said television; wherein said user command signals generated using said remote control unit comprise select command signals for selecting one of said stored digitized video programs and control command signals for controlling presentation of said selected video program on said television by said DVSC; wherein said SCS causes said DVSC to initiate presentation of said selected video program on said television in response to said select signals and controls said presentation of said selected video program on said television by said DVSC in response to said control signals; means connected to said SCS for storing a plurality of advertisements; means for selecting one of said plurality of advertisements; and means for initiating presentation of said selected one of said plurality of advertisements on said television on a predetermined channel at a predetermined time; said SCS comprising means for monitoring broadcast programming on a predetermined channel for a queue tone; and means for initiating presentation on said television of a selected one of said plurality of advertisements on said predetermined channel in place of said broadcast programming responsive to detection of said queue tone.
 33. An interactive video services system for enabling a user at a hospitality establishment to access and control presentation of digitized video programs on a television, the system comprising:a remote control unit associated with said television for generating user command signals; a room terminal electrically connected to said television for formatting and storing said user command signals; means connected to said room terminal for entering billing information; a systems control computer (SCS) electrically connected to said room terminal for processing said user command signals; and a digital video server computer (DVSC) electrically connected to said SCS and to said television for storing a plurality of digitized video programs for presentation on said television; wherein said user command signals generated using said remote control unit comprise select command signals for selecting one of said stored digitized video programs and control command signals for controlling presentation of said selected video program on said television by said DVSC; wherein said SCS causes said DVSC to initiate presentation of said selected video program on said television in response to said select signals and controls said presentation of said selected video program on said television by said DVSC in response to said control signals; and an intelligent radio frequency (RF) modem connected between said SCS and said room terminal for converting signals generated by said SCS from digital to RF signal format.
 34. The system of claim 33 further comprising a frequency modulator responsive to signals from said SCS for tuning the channel of said selected video program to a channel specified by said room terminal. 